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IRISH FORESTRY
Vol. VIII. No. 1 JUNE, 1951 Price 3/-

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IRISH FORESTRY
CONTENTS
OFFICE BEARERS AND COUNCIL
Page
2
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Cedrus Deodara at Glengarra.
By O. V. Mooney, B.Agr.Sc. 3
Douglas Fir in Co. Wicklow. By T. Clear, B.Agr.Sc. 8
Nursery Mechanization. By M. E. McNulty 19
The Place of Forestry in the National Life.
Report of Symposium 21
ABSTRACT
Problems In Tree Nutrition 29
REVIEWS:
Northern Coniferous Forest Soils. By Olof Tarnrn 31
The Selection of Tree Species. By Mark L. Andersoi! 31
Pakistan Journal of Forestry Vol. 1. No. 1. 33
SOCIET,Y INFORMATION:
Seventh Annual Excursion. Report by M. Swan 34
Excursion to Killakee Forest. Report by D . M. O'Sullivan 42
Excursion to Dundrum Sawmill and Forest.
Report by F. G. Moriarty 44
Ninth Annual General Meeting.
Report by Miss R. McDonagh and M. Swan 46
Statement of Accounts ... 51

SOCIETY OF IRISH FORESTERS
President:
T. McEVOY. Cypress Road. Mount Merrion. Dublin.
Vice-President:
O. V. MOONEY. Hollybrook Lodge. Bray. Co. Wicklow.
Szcretary and Treasurer:
T. CLEAR. Albert Agricultural College. Glasnevin. Dublin.
Editor:
M. SWAN. 17 Landscape Crescent. Church town. Dublin.
Business Editor:
N. 0 MUIRGHEASA. "Avondale." Navigation Road. Mallow.
Grade I. Councillors. 1951-52:
H . M. FITZPATRICK. Kendalstown Hill. Delgany. Co. Wicklow.
D. MANGAN. "Graigue". Richmond Avenue. Milltown. Co. Dublin.
Grade I. Councillors. 1951 :
J. J. DEASY. 88 Merrion Square. Dublin.
J. A. K. MELDRUM. 88 Merrion Square. Dublin.
Grade II. Councillors. 1951-52:
J. DOYLE. Newtownmountkennedy. Co. Wicklow.
Grade II. Councillors. 1951:
D. M. HAYES. Donadea Forest. Co. Kildare.
Associate Councillors. 1951-52:
MRS. A. L. K. KING. Ard-na-Ree. Deerpark Road. Dundrur.1.
Associate Councillors. 1951:
MISS S. CAHILL. 4 Mount Street Crescent. Dublin.
Auditor:
DUNCAN CRAIG. 85 Harcourt Street. Dublin.
Trustees:
J. A. K. MELDRUM. D. MANGAN. MRS. A. L. K. KING.

IRISH FORESTRY
VOLUME VIII. JUNE, 1951. NUMBER 1.
CEDRUS DEODARA AT GLENGARRA
By O. V. MOONEY, B.AGR.SC.
THE subject of this note is a small but remarkable stand of Cedrus
Deodara which is situated on the side of a remote mountain valley
which cuts deep into the southern slopes of the Galtee Mountains in
Tipperary. This stand is now the property of the Dept. of Lands,
Forestry Division and forms part of Glengarra Forest.
Location.
The approach on the ground can be found through a lodge gate
just south-west of Glengarra bridge, which is situated about half-way
between Mitchelstown and Cahir on the main Dublin-Cork road.
Cahir, which is a little nearer than Mitchelsown, is about nine miles
from Glengarra bridge. The way from the main road to the Cedar
stand (which is really an old avenue) is nothwards along the bottom
of a most impressively beautiful river valley where some remarkably
fine specimens of Scots Pine, European Larch, Norway Spruce,
Silver Fir and Cedar can be seen in passing; but the walk is most
renowned, and very rightly so, for the range and magnificence of its
bordering rhododendrons the splendour of whose flowers in spring
can only be underrated by any attempted description. The avenue
finally comes to an end at an old shooting lodge known as Mountain
Lodge (nearly two miles from the main road) and now an An Oige
hostel. The place is very well worth a visit. The river of this valley
is the Burncourt river whose source is a little more than two miles
further to the north-west at the foot of the Galteemore peak 3,018'.
History and Past Treatment.
Of the early history of this stand nothing concrete could be found
as no records were procurable. This is greatly to be regretted as an
account of any stand is incomplete unless accurate recordings of some
sort can be made, of the origin of seed and plants, the type of ground
planted, the method of planting, and so on.
The planting was done some seventy years ago by the Butler family
of Shanbally who owned the woods in the locality up to recent times.
The planting lines appear to have run across the slope and, though

-I
there is not sufficient evidence to deduce the exact spacing of the
original planting, there are indications that the plants were put in at
six feet apart. There are prominent flattened ridges within the wood
running up and down the slope of the ground which would seem to
suggest that the ground was cultivated at one time, probably by potato
drills, but at first sight these ridges were associated with the method
of planting. There is nothing with which to fill the gap between 1880
and about ten years ago when the Dept. high-pruned the area then
owned by them to about 20'. Apart from this operation nothing was
done since except to cut windfalls off root when they blew down in
the valley bottom where there is a patch of soft ground.
Climate.
The annual rainfall for the locality is about 45". Heavy falls of
snow are not usual but the high lying ground of the district is subject
to occasional south-westerly gales of high velocity.
Soil and Vegetation.
The soil is Old Red Sandstone drift-a light stony well-drained
soil of good depth. A shallow 4" layer of brown earth seems to be
prevalent at the surface. Over this there is a raw humus layer of I"
to I!" in which there seems to have been exceptionally little
decomposition of the needles and the line between it and the surface
of the mineral soil appears particularly sharp. Podsolisation was not
evident. The vegetation in the wood is sparse and is mainly composed
of a moss carpet in which Polytrichum was prominent and occasional
small herbs of which Oxalis was most noticeable. Taller plants were
represented mainly by erratic bracken (Pteris), briar (Rubus) and foxglove
(Digitalis). The vegetation outside the wood on the north side
was luxuriant with grasses, briar and bracken.
Aspect and Elevation.
The aspect of the ground is south-westerly on a steep slope which
rises from about 680' at the lower side of the stand to about 760' at
the upper edge. The wood is not very exposed except on its N.E.
side where it is open to north and easterly winds.
The Stand.
The wood covers about I! acres and one's first impression is of
a vigorous healthy stand with an ideal amount of growing space for
each tree. This impression is confirmed by more detailed examination
and though the growth in general has fallen off in recent years the
leaders and crowns of the trees have a very healthy and vigorous
appearance. As mentioned before one part of the stand has been
pruned up to about 20' but the remainder (which was only recently
acquired by the Dept.) was not pruned. In the latter area dead but
firmly attached branches are retained on the trees almost down to

ground level. This fact tog;:,:1e, with other observations suggests that
the stand was unduly open from an early stage in its life. The
average tree bears a live crown down to from 35 to 40 feet above the
ground but the canopy is only semi-closed and there is abundant light
in the stand which fact contrasts strangely with the sparse vegetation
on the floor of the wood. Although it is now about 10 years since
the pruning was done the bark has not closed over the pruned
branches- due no doubt to the age of the trees and in lesser part to
the old branches which were abnormally thick for pruning.
About 12 % of the trees in this wood are forked low down at
from 2' to 4' above ground level and many roots bear two fine tall
stems (7" to 9:i" Q.G.B.H. X 50' Approx.). Whether this forking is
due to some damage by animals or weather in early life or to the
natural habit of the species is not known.
The taper of the Cedars, in spite of their age, appears to be small,
but no detailed investigation into this quality of the crop could be
achieved. Random Pressler borings of average sized trees revealed
periodic ring growth similar in pattern to European larch. In the
absence of sufficient span to illustrate this may best be indicated as
follows ;--
First ten years' growth 1 1/ 16".
Third ten years' growth 2 6/ 8".
Fifth ten years' growth 1 3/ 16".
Last seven years' growth 6/ 8".
Second ten years' growth 3 1/ 16"
Fourth ten years' growth 2 1/ 16"
Sixth ten years' growth 2"
Total 67 years.
So far as can be seen the only unusual item in the above analysis
is the 2" growth in the sixth decade and this may have been due to
some thinning factor. Stumps, old or new, are remarkable for their
absence and this is further suggestive that the crop has stood in its
present open state for some long time past.
The following figures indicate well how fine a crop of trees is this
Cedar at Glengarra. The mean Basal Area tree was found from
measuring 30 trees in a line across the middle of the wood. The
number of stems per acre was found by averaging the number of stems
per acre on two l / lOth acre squares located in the middle of the wood.
The measurements were made three years ago ~'hen the stand was
67 years old according to ring count.
Age 67 years.
Stems Per Acre 160,
Mean Basal Area Tree 14t" Q.G.B.H.
Total Ht. of Basal Area Tree 68".
Live Crown Ht. Over Ground Level 38' (Dead branches retained
to ground level).
Total Timber Ht. Of B.A. Tree 48' (Calculated to 6" diam.
Volume would have been greater by calculating to 3" but
the tops were very rough).

Mid Q.G. of Mean B.A. Tree lOt".
Volume Per Acre. 4,762.8 c. ft. Boppus.
Mean Annual Increment 71.08 c. ft. Hoppus.
Higher volume figures were obtained from a 1/10th acre plot
measured at the same time and from a Census of Woodlands which
was carried out a few years before, both of which showed a V.P.A.
of well over 5,000 cubic feet. The V.P.A. figure of 4,762.8 may
therefore be considered conservative.
Comment.
Comparison shows that this Cedar crop falls easily into first quality
Scots Pine (Scotland) (B.F.C. Yield Tables) when judged by volume
production, but it falls far short of first quality when judged properly
on height growth according to age. When compared with European
Larch it is found that on a basis of volume the Cedar falls into second
quality class, but the contrast as to height growth is still more marked
in this case, the Cedar falling below third quality class B.F.C. yield
tables.
This Cedar at Glengarra impresses one most as to the bulk of the
individual tree in the stand and in the manner in which they hold
their girths so well up to about 40'-this, apart from their apparent
vigour and health. Having taken into consideration the retention of
dead branches for so long and to such a low level and the other
factors enumerated above, not least the relation of height to volume,
it seems not unlikely that the planting distance was greater than six
feet in the first place, or that there was some species in mixture which
failed, or that considerable failures were caused in the early stages
by some damage being done to the young crop resulting in the trees
being widely spaced for the greater part of their life.
Seed.
A fine crop of cones is borne on these Cedars in favourable years.
Seed was extracted from twelve cones which were collected in the
autumn of 1944. Thirty selected seeds were sown by the writer in
the spring of 1945 from which three seedlings, two of which still
survive, were obtc-ined. The remainder of the seed was sent to
A vondale where a few more seedlings were obtained and the transplants
are still to be found in the garden nursery there. It seems
indicated that as many seed collections as possible should be made
from these trees before they start to decline.
Conclusion.
There seems to be one definite conclusion to draw from the foregoing
observations: that the cultivation of Cedrus Deodara as a forest
crop deserves much more of our attention than it has had in the past.

7
General Note on Species.
The Deodara (Cedrus Deodara Loudon) is a native of the West
Himalayas, extending westwards through Kashmir and on to
Afghanistan. It is not generally found naturally in pure stands but is
found in mixture with Picea morinda, Pinus excelsa and various oaks.
Its maximum range of elevation is from 4,000' to 10,000' in its natural
habitat but it is more usually confined to from 6,000' to 8,000'. It
finds its region of optimum growth where the rainfall is between 40
and 75 inches.
A tree of 250 feet was recorded by Schlich in the Himalayas but
these trees live to a great age in their own country, some standing
trees being estimated to be 400 years old. Normal growth under these
conditions is said to be 8 to 12 annual rings to the inch-which seems
to indicate that growth here is faster but only sustained for a comparatively
short period.
The seed of Cedrus Deodara was introduced into Britain by leslie
Melville in 1831. In 1841 seed was sown on a big scale and the
plants were widely distributed throughout estates in Britain. Subsequently
it was noted by many observers that trees suddenly failed
in or about from 40 to 50 years and the species was said to be
vulnerable to frost and the cold damp English climate. It appears
from the context of these remarks that they applied to single park
or avenue trees and very little information of solid stands seems to
be available.
A tree of 84' X 7' 2" girth was recorded by Professor Henry at
Fota, Co. Cork in 1904 and was later recorded by H . M. Fitzpatrick
at 85' X 8' II" about 1928. Other fine trees recorded by Mr.
Fitzpatrick were 76' X S' 9" at Carton (Co. Kildare) 79' X 12' at
Headfort (Co. Meath). The best tree recorded in Britain in Henry
and Elwes was 90' X 9' 1". Doubtless these dimensions have been
far exceeded long since by more recent recordings.
The timber of Deodara is said to be very durable when grown in
its natural habitat. It is hard, oily and scented being used for building,
sleepers, furniture and for many other purposes.
Some doubt has been thrown on the quality of the timber when
grown in the climate of these islands and it is said to be soft and
to lack durability.
Works of Reference:
TREES OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND
CONI FERAE : KEYS TO THE GENERA AND SPECIES
TREES OF IRELAND NATIVE AND INTRODUCED ...
Henry and Elwes
H. M. Fitzpatrick
H. M. Fitzpatrick
A HANDBOOK OF CONIFERAE INCLUDING GINKGOACAE
W . Dallimore and A. B. Jackson
HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES
A. D. Webster
TREES AND SHRUBS HARDY IN THE BRlTISH ISLES W . S. Bean

DOUGLAS FIR IN CO. WICKLOW
By T. CLEAR, B.AGR.SC.
THE "green" Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga taxi folia) is a native of the
Pacific coastal region of the United States and Canada. It grows
best in the coastal region of Oregon, Washington and British Columbia,
where the climate, and more particularly the rainfall, is very similar to
that of the Wicklow mountains. European foresters came early to the
recognition of its possibilities as a timber tree. Its remarkable growth
in its native habitat and the high quality of its timber won for it a
high reputation even among the coniferous giants of the "fog belt".
It was introduced to Europe in 1827 but was not planted to any extent
before 1850.
Early plantings were as single specimen trees and small groups in
Arboreta, on avenues and in selected spots in open woodland. The
results of this type of planting are to be seen in many parts of Ireland,
particularly in demesnes like Powerscourt, Carton, etc.
The growth of the specimens thus planted at Kilruddery was most
remarkable and by the beginning of the present century Douglas Fir
was 'Well on the way to becoming a firm favourite in the race for pride
of place among the newer exotics. After seeing the giants at
Powers court and Carton one can well understand the superoptimism
that prevailed with regard to this species some 40 or SO years ago.
Its extensive use as a forest tree coincided with the advent of State
Forestry in Ireland. Much of its early planting was on old woodland
sites as at Dundrum, Avondale, Camolin and was usually in mixture
with larch or spruce. On private estates it was used as a filler in
sparsely stocked hardwood areas, and with Abies grandis, Thuja plicata,
Picea sitchensis and other of its natural associates began to give a
new look to many demesne woodlands. A most remarkable example
of this type of planting is to be seen at Carton and deserves the closest
study by our silviculturists.
With the advent of the 1914/18 war planting practically ceased
and was not renewed on any appreciable scale until 1921. The post
war plantings differed in many respects from the pre-war efforts. Large
areas of sheep mountain and cleared woodland, particularly in Co.
Wicklow, were acquired and extensive monocultures of Douglas Fir,
Sitka Spruce and other promising exotics began to make their appearance.
The green Douglas Fir was used extensively in those early postwar
plantings, and figured largely in the selections as at Roddenagh
in Aughrim (Planted 1921-1926); at Ballyboy in Glenmalure; and at
Crone and Ballyreagh in Glencree.
The site requirements of Douglas Fir were early recognised and
moderately deep, light well-drained soils containing ample moisture
and which were fairly well sheltered were selected for this species.
These site conditions were prevalent in the early acquisitions in
Co. Wicklow and in south-east Ireland generally and are asso-

ciated with lower Silurian, mICa schist and the better old red
sandstone rocks. Heavy bracken on bare land and a variety of ferns
in old woodland were considered indicators of good Douglas ground.
With the advent of more extensive planting programmes attention to
the site requirements became less rigid and Douglas Fir was planted
at higher elevations on exposed light "grass heath" sites where furze
(Ulex europaeus and Ulex galii) and heather (Calluna vulgaris) were
all too prone to become dominant when the ground was enclosed
against stock. It was planted also on lowland limestone areas where
frost was an important factor as was also the heavy growth of aggressive
meadow grasses such as Cocks foot.
This departure from sound selection of sites could have but one
result-poor crops. These "ecological errors" were so numerous, however,
that Douglas Fir came to be regarded as an unreliable species
and quickly lost in popularity. The promised heavy yields did not
materialise. The species was prone to flatter but to deceive-starting
vigorously enough but checking in the thicket stage and producing an
unwanted quota of wolves-with a pronounced sweep in the butts and
very aggressive side branches. The advent of the insect Chermes
Cooleyii and the leaf-cast fungus (Phaecocryptopus Gaumanii), and
the frequent reports of extensive wind throw and snow break added
to the general uncertainty. Adding to the long list of troubles associated
with this species, the blue or Colorado Douglas Fir, a very inferior tree,
was sometimes planted in mistake for the Vancouver variety. Small
wonder then that Douglas Fir fell from its relatively important position
among forest tree species to one of minor importance in Irish Forestry
and disappeared almost completely from State nurseries. The reaction
went further and a policy of replacement of unsatisfactory stands of
Douglas Fir became the order of the day.
During the war the unprecedented demand for fuel enabled
foresters to carry out extensive improvement cuttings of crooked and
coarse dominants in young 15-20 year old stands. This work has done
much to rehabilitate the Douglas Fir in County Wicklow and the great
improvement apparent in these stands has led to a revival of interest
in the species.
In 1948 I undertook the survey and assessment of growing stock
in Roddenagh property of Aughrim forest. The area was intensively
sampled using the line-plot method with 1/ 10th acre plots falling
every 4 chains. This method of sampling provides growth statistics
which could be analysed to provide information on site quality as
affected by elevation and other site factors. Numerous sample trees
were felled and stem analyses carried out.
In Aughrim Forest Douglas Fir figures largely in the earlier plantings.
In Roddenagh and Killaduff (the properties assessed) there are
over 300 acres of pure Douglas Fir aged 22-27 years covering a wide
range of site qualities.

AUGHRIM FOREST
Roddenagb Property .
. '.~~ .
•',,:iI ..... ..
~ .
"tOO ,,' ••• • •• '.
.:
~~ . ,
o·
o·
" .
r ;x:.
/
,.~~". , . '
.~~~ ....
' OOU,GlAS FIR . PUA.E .~
DOUGLAS
FIR . MI)(TU~E. 'm
",o~ . .
11111- __ _
1111. ___ _
'.DALY.

11
The area planted with Douglas Fir lies between the 450' and 900'
contours on Roddenagh hill- and between 300' and 400' in Killaduff
north. The soil is a relatively light shaley loam of Silurian origin only
slightly podsolized, fairly deep at lower levels, but becoming
shallower and lighter and more podsolized with increased . elevation.
Compartments 2-11 face south to south-east and are fully exposed. The
contours are convex and the site could be described as a bold dry
exposed ridge which is an outlier of the Wicklow range with little or
no shelter from higher ground to the south.
Compartments 15, 18, 19, 23, 26, 30, 34, 35, 38, 39, 40, 43, 44,
45 face north-east to north and are fairly sheltered with the concave
outline of the map contours indicating better moisture conditions, as
also does the occurrence of springs and a patch of seepage in Compt.
38. Planting of Douglas Fir was taken up to 900 feet on this sheltered
side. There are no records of the native vegetation of the site before
planting but Irish furze seems to have dominated the dry S.E. ridge
(C. 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11). Bracken occurred on the moister and
more sheltered notherly slope and grassheath vegetation was general
above 800'.
Planting commenced in the season 1921-22 and was carefully supervised
and thoroughly done. The planting stock was (2- 1- 1) 4 years
old transplants and the spacing was 6' X 6'. Growth was rapid from
the start as judged by a stem analysis of average dominants. Ring
width was about 4 rings to the inch up to 1930 when there is striking
evidence of check in some parts of the plantation. For 3 or 4 years
rings of 1/ 16" occurred followed by an improvement to 1/ 8" which
was maintained up to 1937 when a further check occurred giving rings
of 1/ 32" for 3 years. This check was general over the whole area of
Roddenagh Hill. There was an improvement in 1940 to 1/ 16" which
increased to 1/ 8" in 1942 and to 3/16" in 1944. Then growth fell off
gradually until in 1947 ring width was again 1/ 16". This succession
of check followed by release is even more striking on the co-dominants
while the sub-dominants have been in full check since about 1940.
The first check appears to have been caused by excessive competition
from furze the cleaning of which was neglected for some years. This
check was most pronounced on dry ridges and at the higher elevations.
A heavy cleaning carried out in 1933 or 1934 was in the nature of a
thinning in its silvicultural affect-many trees had been suppressed
and the furze was well up into the canopy according to the officers-incharge
at the time. The second check in 1937 could be accounted for
as being normal and due to root competition indicating that thinning
should have been carried out in 1935 or 1936 i.e. 13 or 14 years after
planting. The check was so severe, however, that one is inclined to the
belief that leaf shedding must also have been excessive about this
time. Stands of Douglas Fir about 15 to 18 years old are often condemned
because of general stagnation by excessive loss of foliage. It

L2
is interesting to observe that this condition prevailed in Aughrim for
some years. The general improvement which set in in 1939 or 1940
coincided with brashing operations as evidence of the sawn branch stubs
reveals. The assessors attributed the improved growth to a thinning
which was presumed to have occurred about this time. However, there
was no record of a thinning having been carried out in 1939 and the
officers in charge state that the stands only received a brashing. It
appears, therefore, that brashing has given a pronounced stimulus to
the crop. I am convinced that the mulching effect of the branch litter
so improved the moisture conditions as to offset the effects of root
competition and disease. The improvement in increment got a further
boost in 1942 when a thinning of dominants was carried out.
The crop is now vigorous and healthy and with thinning, increment
can be satisfactorily maintained. The trees have doubled in timber
volume in the last 5 years. Extensive growth studies reveal annual
increments varying from 8'10 to 15%. For example in Compartment
3 the average dominant increased from 3.62 cu. ft. (U.B.) true volume
to 6.07 cu. ft. (U.B.) true volume and the average co-dominant
increased from 1.6 cu. ft. to 2.9 cu. ft. over 5 years.
In compartment 4 the average dominant increased from 5.5 cu. ft.
to 7.10 cu. ft. and the co-dominant or sub-dominant from 1.28 to
1. 62 cu. ft. in five years.
Compartment 3 seems to have been cleaned and thinned earlier
than C4 since the early (1930) check is not in evidence and the
stocking is now lower. This as well as the fact that C3 enjoys a lower
elevation, accounts for the better current increment.
The following statistics are based on an analysis of 34 plots of
1/10th acre covering the south-eastern end of Roddenagh Hill
(C2-11). In all cases calculations for Mean Annual Increment include
a figure for thinnings which was obtained from the records of the
forest.
Age of Crop 27 years:
Average No. of trees over 3" Q.G.B.H.
per acre ...
Mean area per tree
Mean volume (Boppus measure O.B.)
per tree down to 3'" diameter
Mean volume per acre
Mean annual increment
Current annual increment (estimated)
475 .
0.152
3 cu.
1,425 cu.
60 cu.
90 cu.
sq. ft.
ft.
ft.
ft. per ac. per an.
ft. per ac. per an.
Current growth is more rapid at lower elevations as the following
statistics show.

13
Compartment 3. Elevation (450'-500') :
Average No. of trees ...
Volume per tree
Average volume per acre
Mean height
Mean crown length
Current annual height growth ...
Mean annual increment
Current annual increment based on last 5 years
growth
Current increment % ...
Compartment 4. Elevation (500'-550') :
Average No. of trees per acre ...
Volume per tree
Average volume per acre
Mean crown length
Mean height
Current annual height growth
Mean annual increment
Current annual increment
Compartment 5. Elevation (450'-500') :
Volume per acre
Mean height
Crown length ...
Current annual height growth
Volume per tree
Mean annual increment
Current annual increment
Compartment 7. Elevation (650') :
Mean annual increment
Volume per acre
Mean height
Compartment 8. Elevation (650') :
Mean annual increment
Volume per acre
Mean height
420 per acre.
3.2 cu. ft.
1,660 cu. ft.
42'.
20'.
I!'.
81 cu. ft. per ac.
150 cu. ft. per ac.
13'10'
472.
3.55 cu. ft.
1,685 cu. ft.
21'.
43'.
It'·
80 cu. ft. per ac.
94 cu. ft. per ac.
1,220.
40'.
18'.
It'·
2.7 cu. ft.
60 cu.ft.
92 cu. ft.
55 cu. ft.
1,300 cu. ft.
36'.
52 cu. ft.
1,140 cu. ft.
36'.
In Compartment 10 and 11 (700'- 800') the Douglas Fir has
largely failed. The better remnants of the stand remain and the yields
of 800 to 850 cu. ft. per acre after 27 years (30 cu. ft. M.A.I.) speak
for themselves. These Compartments have been beaten up with J.L.
which promises very well on this site.

14
Compartments 15, 18 19 and 23 are somewhat better sheltered than
Compartments 2-11 but the elevation is 650'-800'. The contours
indicate excessive drainage and drought is likely to be an important
factor. Irish furze played an important role here in checking growth
especially in Compartment 23, where partial failure has resulted,
necessitating replanting with Japanese Larch.
The "dry ridge" is a most unsuitable site for Douglas Fir and
competition from native vegetation is excessive on such sites. Nevertheless
Douglas Fir has not done too badly as can be seen by the
following results to date.
Compartment 15. Elevation (700') :
Age
Average No. of trees per acre
Average volume per tree
Average volume per acre
Mean annual increment
Mean height
Compartment 18. Elevation (700') :
Average No. of trees per acre
A verage volume per acre
Mean annual increment
Mean height
Compartment 19. Elevation (700') :
Average No. of trees per acre
A verage volume per acre
Mean annual increment
Mean height
26 years.
430.
2.5 cu. ft.
1,080 cu. ft.
41.5 cu. ft.
40'.
415.
1,245 cu. ft.
57 cu. ft. per ac.
36'.
400.
1,100 cu. ft.
50 cu. ft.
36'.
Conditions in Compartments 34, 35, 38, 39, 40, 43, 44, 45 are
much more favourable. As can be seen by the contour lines this portion
of the area is "cupped" and sheltered (the concave contours indicating
better moisture conditions and shelter) with better soil depth. The
native vegetation was likely to have been bracken rather than furze.
The improvement in rate of growth is quite remarkable considering
the stand here is 3 years younger.
Compartment 30. Elevation (700') :
Age of crop
Average No. of stems per acre
Volume per acre
Mean annual increment
Current annual increment
Mean height
23 years.
567.
1,200 cu. ft.
62 cu. ft.
101 cu. ft.
38'.

15
Compartment 34. Elevation (700') :
Average No. of stems per acre
Volume per acre
Mean annual increment
Current annual increment
Current annual increment %
Mean height
Compartment 35. Elevation (750') :
Average No. of stems per acre
Volume per acre
Mean annual increment
Current annual increment
Current annual increment %
Mean height
Compartment 40. Elevation (850') :
Mean annual increment
Mean height
Compartment 43. Elevation (650') :
Mean annual increment
Mean height
Compartment 44. Elevation (750') :
Mean annual increment
Mean height
Compartment 45. Elevation (850') :
Mean annual increment
Mean height
676.
1.200 cu. ft.
83 cu. ft.
155 cu. ft.
14'10'
36'.
643.
1,150 cu. ft.
75 cu. ft.
116 cu. ft.
12'10'
33'.
70 cu. ft.
30'.
79 cu. ft.
38'.
66.5 cu. ft.
40'.
57 cu. ft.
36'.
These last three Compartments are on the edge of the plantation
and subject to exposure.
In KILLADUFF NORTH the Douglas lies between 350' and 500'
and while the area is sheltered the ground is rocky and the soil rather
shallow in places.
Growth has been very satisfactory as can be seen by the M.A.!.
figures.
This area was only 22 years planted on the date of assessment and
as one would expect, the current annual increment is very much higher
than the Mean.

16
GROWTH STATISTICS.
M.A.!.
No. of stems over Av. Volume Vol. per (including
Compt. Age 3" Q.G.B.H.O.B. per tree acre thinnings)
per acre cu. ft. cu. ft. cu. ft.
49 22 600 2.30 1,380 58
50 620 2.30 1,430 95
51 610 3.10 1,890 95
52 620 3.40 2,110 96
53 620 2.60 1,61 0 74
54 535 3.40 1,820 90
55 510 3.24 1,650 85
56 580 3.10 1,800 92
57 705 2.30 1,620 82
58 465 3.10 1,440 71
59 540 2.85 1,540 69
60 510 2.85 1,450 66
61 612 2.00 1,224 50
62 590 2.90 1,710 78
In this property Douglas Fir has failed on the wet flats- which
adjoin the river. There seepage areas were water-logged and carried
molinia and tufted Aira grasses before planting.
Douglas fir in mixture.
In Roddenagh Wood-an area very similar to the Killaduff North
property-namely old woodland-350-450' elevation fully sheltered,
with the soil moderately deep and moist and free rooting- Douglas Fir
was planted in mixture with Japanese Larch 50% of each at 6' X 6'.
The Douglas has been practically eliminated by suppression and the
remnant can be maintained only by the deliberate sacrifice of the more
vigorous Japanese Larch.
Growth Statistics: Japanese Larch Douglas Fir
Age of crop 25 years 25 years.
Volume per acre Q.B.O.B. 1,720 cu. ft. 530 cu. ft.
Stems over 3" Q.G.B.H. per ac. 360. 211.
Mean Q.G.
5J.-" 4 . 4JJI
2 .
Heights of dominants ... 47'. 52'.

17
There were many sub-dominant Douglas Fir-with heights around
40'. ~ ,
It is still possible in this stand to produce . a final crop largely
composed of Douglas Fir but it involves a sacrifice of the main increment
producer-the Japanese Larch. On the point of quality of final
produce there is much to recommend a pro-Douglas Fir policy. In this
connection the following experience may be of some interest. The
freshly cut samples taken for stem analyses (discs 2" thick cut off at
5', 15' etc.) were stored in sacks for some days before being collected
for examination. When examined the Japanese Larch sections were
found to be covered with a dense mat of fungus mycelium and the
wood was deeply stained and almost black in colour right through.
The Douglas Fir showed little or no trace of discoloration and were
as bright and clear as when cut.
CONCLUSIONS.
The main conclusions that one is tempted to draw from the results
of this assessment might be listed as follows:
(a) Douglas Fir even under fairly suitable conditions is not likely
to be a very heavy yielder on the foothills of County Wicklow.
(b) It is, however, much superior in growth rate to the normal
alternative selections, European Larch and Scots Pine.
(c) It is inferior in height growth to Japanese Larch in the early
stages, at least, but promises to give a much better quality
timber: further the evidence from stem analysis would
indicate that while the Douglas Fir increment is well maintained
between the 20 and 30 years that of Japanese Larch
tends to fall off.
(d) Douglas Fir is extremely sensitive to drought and to root
competition. An aggressive vegetation like Ulex Gallii on
dry exposed sites can bring the crop into complete check.
This condition is aggravated by the disease Phaecocryptopus
Gaumanii which delays canopy formation.
(e) Douglas Fir shows good powers of recoverey from disease
and check, and is much superior to Scots Pine in this respect.
(f) There are indications that the cleaning of furze and other
competitive vegetation must on no account be neglected.
(g) The brashing of the crop appears to have a most invigorating
effect and at a critical stage, and this may help to put this
operation in a new and more favourable light.
(h) Early thinning (starting at the 15th year after planting) and
the reduction of numbers to between 400-500 stems by the
25th year seems to be very necessary if increment is to be
maintained.
(i) The fact that co-dominates and sub-dominants show very
little response to crown thinning would seem to indicate that
a heavy low thinning might be more suitable than crown
thinning.

18
Since carrying out this survey at Aughrim, further assessments have
been concluded at Glenmalure in central Co. Wicklow and at Glencree
in North Central Wicklow in 20 to 30 years old stands and at
Kilruddery (near Bray) in 30-40 years old stands.
The results have helped to confirm the general impression chat
Douglas Fir in heavily thinned stands improves enormously between
the 20th and 40th year: that it gives promise of good yields
on sites up to 700' on northern slopes especially on deep loamy soils:
and that it appears to throw off the effects of Phaecocryptopus Gaumanii
and to enter into a period of very vigorous growth, after heavy
thinning.
Final yields may be very much heavier at Aughrim and other centres
in Wicklow than present returns iedicate. The very serious check which
was experienced between the 10th and the 20th year did much to
depress yields and comparison with British Forestry Commission yield
tables would be likely to show that Wicklow stands in a very unfavourable
light. It is interesting to note, however, that American and
Continental tables for Douglas Fir give yields comparable with those
recorded here.
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NURSERY MECHANIZATION
By M. E. McNULTY.
NURSERY foresters are continually worried about costs and
endeavour to tryout new ideas to keep them at a low level,
whilst at the same time ensuring that the full annual programme is
completed.
This controlling of costs is not at all easy when one remembers
that present day wages and overheads are approximately three times
the pre-war figure, while at the same time it cannot be said that the
output by the Nursery Staff has kept pace with the increased
expenditure.
To keep costs, therefore, within the limits of proper nursery
economics, it is essential that manual effort be supplemented by as
much mechanization as possible.
Nursery foresters may be interested in our efforts at Tair Onen,
towards that end, for the past few years.
Tair Onen Nursery was started in 1936 and may now be considered
in the established category with all its attendant ills-over-production
due to necessity in its early years with consequent lowering of natural
fertility and high incidence of weed attack.
Our main worry was the high cost of weeding broadcast seed beds
which reached its peak in 1946. As well as the cost of weeding, at
least 10'10 of the first year's seedlings were lost mainly through faulty
weeding by inexeprienced labour. When one considers that our
weeding areas in an average year amount to about 60 acres including
lines and seedbeds, one may appreciate our problem.
To meet the situation, the "Macslat" Multiple Seedsowing Drill
'."'1as evolved. It is worked on the endless belt system with a density
control, sows eight drills longitudinally, the drills being 4 inches apart.
The machine opens the drills, sows the seed and covers with grit in
one operation, though the grit covering part requires further development.
The 1946 model had a wooden hopper mounted on tyre-Iess cycle
wheels, the endless belts being provided from an old inner tube of a
lorry. The principle of its working was satisfactory.
The 1948 model is an improvement on our first effort. It is a
compact, all-steel unit mounted on pneumatic tyred wheels, having
its endless belt specially made. The machine at present is manually
operated. It is visualized that a later model may be power driven with
other refinements. The present machine cost approximately £55.
Theoretically, drills take up three times the area of broadcasting, but
in this instance, it was decided to drill at broadcasting density; species
coming out as 1 + 0 would not hurt, whilst those remaining in for
two years had a proportion pricked out at the end of the first year
and bedded out leaving a number in for two years correspondine to
that of drilling density.

20
In practice the following comparisons stood out this year. 4 lb.
of S.S. were sown in each case, same identity.
Density of sowing
No. of seedlings per lb. at stocktaking.
Cost of sowing per lb. Prep. bed
Sow seed
Quantity of grit per 100 sq. yds.
Cost of grit per 100 sq. yds.
Cost of covering 100 sq. yds.
Weeding
Number of times during season
Cost of weeding per 100 sq. yds.
Cost per 1,000 seedlings
Drills
55 sq. yds. per lb.
13,500
45 / -
per 100 sq. yds.
2d. per lb.
4 cwt.
4/ 8
2/ 9
Hoe twice
Weed twice
89/5
5/ 8
Broadcast
55
3,540
45 / -
5d.
16 cwt.
18/ 5
2/9
Weed twice
170/10
40/ 3
The following general results were found this year, taking in all
species, some of very poor germination.
Drills
Broadcast
Area drilled 27,868 sq. yds. Area broadcast 6,350 sq. yds.
Ibs. sown 416 Ibs. sown 94.8
Yield 5,320 thousands Yield 889.25 thousands
Yield per lb. 12,788
Yield per lb. 9,380
Yield per sq. yd. 191
Yi eld per sq. yd. 140
General Observations.
Manual weeding of drilled beds is only one-fifth that of broadcast.
Hoeing can be carried out on the other 4/ 5. A seven-pronged two-inch
spud multiple hoe was evolved complementary to the seed sowing
machine. Two men hoe eight drills simultaneously and cover 2,400
sq. yards in one day.
It was noticed that seedlings in drills grew to a greater height the
first year than those in broadcast beds. The constant hoeing gives
better moisture retention. It is not suggested that drilling is necessary
for all nurseries. Obviously in newly-started nurseries where there is
no weed growth for the first few seasons, broadcasting is easier.
Readers of the Quarterly Journal of the Royal Forestry Society of
England and Wales will have noticed an article in the October 1949
issue by Mr. W. E. Hiley on his observations on Nursery Machinery
and Methods, from a recent visit to Western American Nurseries. He
describes similar machines as those developed at Tair Onen for drill
sowing of seed, except that the American product is tractor pulled.
It shows that other up-to-date countries are fully alive to the
potentialities of Nursery Mechanization as a contribution to lower costs.

THE PLACE OF FORESTRY IN THE
NATIONAL LIFE
(Report of symposium held on the occasion of the Ninth Annual
General Meeting of the Society of Irish Foresters).
Mr. Mooney.
MR. MOONEY, forestry officer, was the first speaker and mooted
the idea of the communal forest. We had seen, he said, over the
past few years a great revival of interest in afforestation in this country.
At the top level we had the announced policy of the Government to
step up the annual planting programme to 25,000 acres with an
ultimate target of over one million acres of plantations. As well as
our own Society we had such groups as the Trees for Ireland Committee,
the Roadside Tree Association, mAl,CpAl, nAl, felpme and others
all doing their share in encouraging tree-planting. The newspapers too
had given forestry more than its usual share of publicity, and had,
without exception, supported and recommended to their readers the
great idea of forestry and urged its adoption on a far greater scale
than at present.
Encouraged by this awakening of interest, he was going to suggest
yet another means of getting trees planted. The idea he was about to
offer, the communal forest, was by no means a new one and has been
well known in Europe for hundreds of years. It is the forest that is
owned by the commune or local administrative body as distinct from
either the State-owned or privately-owned forest. Before the last war
Germany had 4,857,500 acres of such forest, which represents 15.5%
of her total forest area. In France too, the communal forest is a strong
part of the forestry system and in most European countries the communal
forest system exists. The usual area of these forests ranges from
200 to 1,300 acres and they are managed by qualified foresters generally
under the 'remote control' of the State forest service.
We have all seen, he said, in our wanderings through the country
the rocky valley with its steep slopes covered with bracken and gorse,
the old woodland site now a tangled mass of briar and thicket scrub
vegetation, the higher heather-clad slopes~all productive forest lands
but at present not contributing one penny to the country's economy and
seemingly fated to remain in untouched unproductivity to the end of
time. These small areas of waste ground which vary from one to
fifty acres in extent are general and will be found scattered over every
county but they are particularly noticeable in Wicklow, Tipperary, Cork,
Kerry, Clare and Donegal. They can rarely be handled by the State
forestry service, being too small and scattered for economic management
by a service constituted to deal with blocks of thousands of acres.
The farmers on whose holdings they occur may sometimes have the
urge to plant them but lack the means to do so. Generally, however,
both the urge to plant and the means to do so are lacking. Consequently

24
(iii) The powers of County Councils under the Agricultural Act
of 1931 are more closely allied to forestry of a commercial or semicommercial
nature. Under this Act the County Council is required to
provide a minimum sum out of its rates [at least two pence in the
pound] to its County Committee of Agriculture to be applied to its
agricultural and allied schemes in addition the Council may strike a
special rate of -td. in the £ reserved particularly to forestry. Much good
work has been done under this Act but the schemes have all aimed at
aiding the individual to help himself and this aid has had to be
restricted so that the limited sum available could be made to meet the
needs of all who wished to avail of the scheme. The County Committee
of Agriculture is a body principally concerned with technical
advice and it has not either the resources or the powers to undertake
the work itself. Its efforts at encouraging afforestation are usually
confined to the provision of a limited number of transplants at reduced
prices.
Local authorities also provide scholarships which can be availed of
in forestry at the National University but that so few avail of them for
this subject shows the need for education in both national and
secondary schools of necessity for and importance of afforestation.
The combined contribution of Local Bodies to forestry under the
above heads seldom cost more than one or at most two pence in the £
on the Rates but a scheme as envisaged by Mr. Mooney would cost up
to 1/ - in the £. This he said was not to be taken as a criticism of
Mr. Mooney's proposals but rather to show that they represented a
fundamental departure from present practice and a bold solution for
an important national problem, the planting of relatively small pieces
of lands unsuited for other purposes. The scheme had the further
merit-and in this it was almost unique in proposals normally made to
Local Authorities-in that all expenditure would in a short time yield
a substantial income and return for the capital invested, not merely in
shelter or amenity or other intangible form, but in hard cash.
That a scheme such as that envisaged by Mr. Mooney was not
beyond the scope or capabilities of Local Authorities is adequately
illustrated by the success they have achieved in such diverse schemes
as housing, turf production, drainage, road making, etc. It was
impossible at the moment to forsee and discuss in detail all the difficulties
likely to arise and the many questions raised by the proposal
but he thought that as a scheme it undoubtedly was worthy of very
serious consideration and publicity.
In the past two years, he said, some £2,000,000 had been spent on
minor drainage schemes and we should remember that the American
money so used was repayable over 3S years at 2-t% interest. If we
could afford such expenditure then the sum of £16,000 per county on
a forestry scheme seemed quite feasable, but public opinion would have
to make the decision. He felt, however, that any approach to grant the

25
necessary powers to spend their own money on establishing their own
forests would be welcomed by local authorities.
He suggested that a forestry scheme could be run in conjunction
with drainage schemes, while the nursery problem might be tackled
by the Vocational Schools. It would be necessary however, to educate
and foster a spirit of forest consciousness in the public before such a
scheme could hope to succeed.
Mr. Litton.
The next speaker, Mr. Litton, gave his views as a farmer on the
position of forestry in the national life. Farming and trees, he said,
had much in common, but he would not agree with forestry experts
dictating to the farmer, who really knew his own business best. He
had seen a slogan that the "onus of tree planting lies with the farmer"
but he did not take that seriously as he believed it was put out by
nurserymen. He had also heard that trees would improve the climate
but he considered that the climate did not need improving: we had,
he thought, one of the best climates in the world. Again he had heard
that trees beautify the countryside and induce more tourists to come
here, but this he called a fantastic idea. If it was going to draw more
tourists he certainly did not want it. There was nothing more distressing
to him than gates left open, crops ruined, and plantations burned
by careless tourists brought here because we had beautified the countryside.
Trees for shelter were, he said, the farmer's own business and
the farmer was the best judge of whether such shelter was necessary
and where to put it.
From the farmer's point of view, if forestry was going to take a
place in the national life it must be as a commercial proposition. He
thought Mr. Mooney's scheme was most undesirable. It was suggested
it would cost up to 1/- in the £ on the rates and this would put the
farmer out of business. Farmers already paid a heavier tax than anyone
else and he considered it would be unjust to increase the rates by 1/­
in the £ for forestry purposes.
If you want to get the farmer interested he said you must show by
more than mere figures that it will pay-figures do not cut much ice
with the farmer, he will move very slowly which is really the best and
only way. He was not himself convinced that the proposed scheme was
a paying proposition.
We all want to see more trees to improve the country, he said,
and in the national outlook it might be far better to have more trees
on the marginal lands. In mountain farms they graze a few sheep or
cattle on these lands and while the output is very low the forester says
trees would pay better, you cannot convert the value of this land to
the farmer in hard cash, it must be taken in relation to the whole
farm. If you take this land away you upset his economy so you simply
can't take it away-if he loses this high ground his farm goes 'flop'.

The acquisition of the rough hill grazing for forestry will need an
alteration in our system of husbandry and that will need research,
research in the breeding of stock, in farm management, in land utilization,
in forestry and the re-education of the farmer in the new system.
Farming and forestry, he said, must go hand in hand and he considered
that the ideal solution lay not in Local Administration but in
attaching the forest to the farm under the farmer, with some Government
controls and a Government-sponsored company to deal with
utilization.
Mr. FitzPatrick.
Mr. FitzPatrick, who possessed the dual qualification of both
farmer and forestry expert, dealt with the economic aspect of forestry
in the national life. It was most important he said to grow just what
we needed otherwise we would have a surplus of one class of material
and a difficiency of another. Our former target of 600,000 acres of
plantations was, he understood, based on our consumption of timber
and timber products for the year 1932-33. This was a curious year
on which to base our figures as it was a year of depression and our
present target of 1,000,000 acres seems much nearer the mark.
There were, he said, 300,000 farms and 400,000 rural dwellings
in the country and these would need 10,000,000 stakes and 1,200,000
wooden gates. These could be made to last longer by chemical
preservatives but even then they will not last for ever and constant
replacements are necessary. Proper preservation of such materials was
as good as growing extra timber, but unfortunately there was no firm
in Ireland at present to supply preserved timber to the farmer. Besides
this the farmers' homes and out offices would need timber for repairs
and renovations and this would take a further 2,400,000 cu. ft. of
timber annually. To meet these needs and from his own experience
as a farmer he was convinced that trees were absolutely invaluable on
the farm.
Almost every farm, he thought, had a bit of waste ground which
could be planted and most farmers had the spare time to do the planting.
Unfortunately they were accustomed to crops ripening in 5 to 6
months and the shift to a ripening period of 30 to 50 years was a big
jerk to them. Fencing, particularly rabbit fencing, was another bugbear,
and an expensive one.
While he knew from experience that it was difficult to grow trees
on the farm, it was by no means impossible. The main thing, of course,
was to grow the type of material required. There was a growing
demand for small-sized stuff for stakes and fencing materials and for
processing into pulp and fibre, etc. Rural electrification would take
one-and-a-half million transmission poles and these again would
require constant replacements. Pinus contorta had been found suitable
for transmission poles in America and he would suggest that P.e. might

27
be planted on better land than was customary at present, for a quick
return.
One of the merits of Mr. Mooney's scheme was the provision of
a constant and assured supply of timber for small local industries. At
present it was possible for an outside firm or individual to buy up an
entire wood and so deprive the small local industry of its raw material.
When a wood is cut down and exploited it is gone for ever for that
generation. The small industry while dependent on the local wood
seldom had the capital to buy it outright and preserve it for their own
needs.
The speaker said he favoured Mr. Mooney's scheme and he thought
farmers would do their part if encouraged. The whole question of
species to plant, and size of materials to produce would need expert
examination and the farmer would need constant advice on what to
plant, when to fell, the best way t1 market the produce. He envisaged
a scheme with a forestry expert in every county who in addition to
looking after the County Council forestry scheme would advise parish
councils and individual farmers on all matter pertaining to forestry.
A general debate followed to which the following members
contributed :
Mr. T. McCarty, who said that from his experience the farmers
had very little interest in forestry and even this little was only maintained
for a short time. He got his plants at approximately half market
price from the County Council and he also got a grant from the
Government for planting but he neglected after-care needed to produce
good plantations. He agreed with the County Council forestry scheme
as practised at present in Kildare (for which County he was forester)
and gave figures to show it was a sound commercial proposition. He
suggested that a start could be made on a smaller scale than that proposed
by Mr. Mooney and said it would not cost anything like 1/ - in
the £ on the rates. At present, he said, the rates paid for our agricultural,
our horticultural and our poultry schemes so why not for our
forestry scheme as well
Mr. Galvin said that the Kildare scheme was not worked on the
lines of Mr. Mooney's proposal. He pointed out that land tenure on
the Continent was different to here and he thought that pride of
ownership would be a big obstacle to communal forestry here.
Forestry, he said, was a highly technical and extremely critical
science and outside the scope of County Councils and County Managers
who were in any event already overburdened. He also thought that the
present County Council schemes were adequate if fully availed of.
He would not agree with Vocational Schools handling the forest
nurseries as nursery technique requires more skill and attention than
Vocational Schools could give it and he thought the nurseries could
safely be left to private enterprise.

28
Mr. Mangan said there was a lack of pioneer spirit among
farmers. We had yet to sell the idea of forestry to the farmer and
while it was going to be difficult it was not impossible. The E.S.B.
rural electrification scheme had made a provisional estimate of one
million transmission poles for their requirements over the first ten
years, but in actual fact they had only used between 40,000 and 50,000
poles a year to date. They were, he said, going to test poles of native
Thuya Plicata, Corsican Pine and Sitka Spruce for their suitability as
transmission poles but he was very doubtful if Pinus Contorta would
be suitable. In the first place it was very difficult to get a straight
stem of P.e. of suitable dimensions and secondly the absorption of
cresote by P.e. was very high and could be as much as 25 lbs. per
cubic foot which would make the prepared P.e. poles as dear as poles
of other species.
Mr. Bogue said that in many instances the sites of roadside belts
and screens had been very badly chosen. They had been put under
telegraph and power lines and in due course it was found necessary to
prune them. Even this operation is only too frequently badly carried
out and the trees were mutilated and disfigured. This was certainly no
encouragement to the farmer to plant for himself and a little more
care in the planning and subsequent treatment of their screens and
shelter belts by Local Authorities was indicated.
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ABSTRACT
PROBLEMS IN TREE NUTRITION
M. C Rayner and W. Neilson-Jones. Faber & Faber. 12/ 6.
The pioneer work in afforesting poor soils has met with some
inexplicable failures, instances occurring where, under normal cultural
methods, even the least exacting of conifers either failed to grow or
gave inconsistent results.
To the late Dr. Rayner in particular must go much of the credit
for the knowledge now available on tree nutrition and fertility in
difficult moorland soils, and it is impossible to read this book without
paying a tribute to her devotion to this hitherto unexplored aspect of
afforestation.
In 1932 work on an elaborate research programme sponsored by
the Forestry Commission was started by the authors on the dismal
moorlands of Wareham Heath in the south of England, and the results
of their investigations over many years are recorded in full in this book.
Prior to the carrying out of this research it was generally agreed
that mineral deficiencies were not the only limiting factors in nutrition
but no information was available to substantiate or refute any of the
various biological theories which had arisen. It was suggested that in
the process of humus decomposition in these organic soils various
substances directly inimical to growth were produced but these were
neither identified nor even proven to exist.
The authors have shown that toxic substances are present, that they
are of biological origin and that they operate directly by inhibiting
fungal growth. These react on the trees, it is believed, by restricting
root growth, impeding mycorrhizal formation and generally curtailing
the supply of nutrients normally rendered available as a result of fungal
activity. An indirect result is the accumulation of raw humus with a
high CN. ratio.
On Wareham Heath Dr. Rayner applied organic compounds that
brought about remarkable improvements in plant growth. The improvement
was believed to be complex in origin, and highly specialised and
intensive research by a team of ecologists, botanists and plant physiologists
was undertaken towards obtaining evidence on which the above
conclusions are based. Dr. Rayner believed that the quality of the
organic substrate in the natural soil was of primary importance and
thus the necessity of bringing about a change in the biological activity
was apparent to her. It was found that composts removed toxic
substances permanently as no other means could, and brought an end
to their further production. They operate by modifying the activities
of the micro-flora already present, as proved by the enormously
accelerated rate of cellulose breakdown etc. Evidence is provided that
the basis for these changes lies in the organic constituents of the
compost rather than in the inorganic (mineral) nutrients it contains.

30
The effect of composts on growth of various species of pines is
partly attributed to the establishment of mycorrhizal associations with
possibly an indirect action through stimulation of soil fungi in general.
Beneficial root fungi are normally present in the soil though often
in a dormant state from which they can be released by composts which
stimulate short root growth and production of mycorrhizae. Initial
growth of short roots may be due to the production of growth promoting
substances as a result of the vigorous fungal metabolism.
In the course of the investigations many species and forms of root
fungi were identified, some for the first time in these islands. The
organisms responsible for the production of toxic substances are,
however, still unidentified but a technique of biological analysis was
developed that makes it possible to estimate the relative degree of
toxicity in any given soil sample. The use of this technique has shown
that toxicity occurs in several soils other than Wareham and it is
recommended in solving practical problems of afforestation.
In conclusion the authors discuss the bearing of these results on
the practical control of fertility and plant nutrients. The importance
of differential biological activity in a natural soil is emphasised.
Qualitative difference in the resultant products may be determined by
the action of varying local conditions on these activities at any stage
and fertility depends on the maintenance of correct biological balance.
Addition of mineral nutrients, aeration of the soil by mechanical treatment
etc., while effective to a degree, cannot of themselves guarantee
permanent amelioration. Biological activity must be guided along
certain lines, e.g. by control of the litter in the forest, selective planting
etc. Where degenerative changes have progressed beyond a certain
point it may be easier and quicker to initiate a change by application
of suitable organic materials.
Finally in this very complex problem the conclusion is drawn that
there is great need for further research.
P. J. B.
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Pitwood Exporters. etc.

REVIEWS
Northern Coniferous Forest Soils.
By Olof Tamm. Translated from the Swedish by Mark L. Anderson.
Published by The Scrivener Press, Oxford. 17/6.
In his preface to this English translation of his treatise on the
Forest Soils of north Sweden, the author claims that the work has not
been planned as a comprehensive scientific text-book. Be that as it
may, the forester who is concerned with coniferous plantation will find
that virtually all the essential general aspects of his soil problems are
here dealt with in an eminently readable and authoritative way.
Although primarily concerned with north Swedish conditions, the book
is sufficiently broad in its scope to be of immediate interest to workers
in other areas.
In soil science text-books, many features of soils which are of
fundamental interest in forestry are apt to be treated somewhat casually,
as being but incidental to soils in general. In Professor Tamm's book
the forestry interest is at all times predominant. I would cite his
chapter on the mull and mor forms of humus as illustrative of the
particular value to the forester of his specialised approach. In this
he gives an insight to the influence of decomposition processes in the
humus of the forest litter on the success or failure of natural
regeneration.
There is sufficient general scientific treatment of north European
soils in this book to serve the practical forester in northern latitudes as
a text. Those who work in a climate which does not possess the severity
of the north Swedish winter can reasonably make allowances in interpreting
some of its conclusions in the light of their own working
conditions.
I would mention in conclusion that Professor Tamm's reputation as
a soil scientist extends considerably beyond the shores of Sweden. One
need have no hesitation in accepting his views on Swedish forest soils
as being based on long experience and sound judgment. The translator
has produced a text which reads as fluently as an original composition.
P.H.G.
The Selection of Tree Species.
Mark L. Anderson. Oliver and Boyd. 14() pp. 12/().
The aim of this book can best be expressed in the words of the
Author's Introduction: "to strive to provide what still seems to be
lacking-some relatively objective means of distinguishing and classifying
plantable site types which will serve, not only as an aid in the
choice of tree species, but as a basis upon which a sound sylvicultural
practice can be built." That final phrase is typical of the author's
outlook. He is not satisfied merely to provide us with a method of
choosing a species which will produce a crop on any particular planting
site but he aspires to relate his choice so closely to all the site factors
that something approaching the natural ecological unit will result.
Such a unit under proper management will have considerable powers

32
of resistance to disease and may well be capable of natural regeneration,
even though the species used be exotic.
As in his previous booklet (published in 1932) Dr. Anderson
relies on the ecological method of selection. He has summarised his
experience in two tables based on six fertility and four moisture
classes; the first table distinguishes twenty plant communities for which
the second table lists suitable species in 'ready-reckoner' fashion. In
addition he has included a useful section on other aids to locality
assessment-data to be gleaned from existing stands or cleared woodlands,
from geological and topographical maps, from general and local
information etc. There is also a section which summarises for all the
species in common use in afforestation valuable information under
such heads as Range and Importance, Ecology, Uses of Timber, Scope
for Use, and Technique. There are 21 excellent photographs to
illustrate the text.
Irish foresters will note that the selections recomended are those
which have been put into practice with good results in our own State
forests over the past 20 years. Thanks to the implementation of
Dr. Anderson's ideas, as now expressed in this book, it can be fairly
claimed that Irish selections show a very sensitive response to site
factors. In other respects too, particularly in the use of Pinus contorta,
practice here has taken a distinctive and pioneer course which is likely
to be followed elsewhere. A careful study of the author's remarks on
tree species is strongly recommended and we would be glad to see
him enlarge on these observations at some future date.
We would have wished that the author had enlarged on the
descriptions of soil types corresponding to his typical plant communities
using the modern descriptions of soils based on differentiation into
horizons. It is felt that a systematic description of soils using macroscopic
characteristics only and which could be applied without undue
difficulty in the field would add considerably to the value of this work
and would help the user to avoid error and to place the site in its
correct class with greater certainty.
The author anticipates that some subdivision of his general
vegetational types may be necessary within specific regions and this
would appear to be the case at the lower end of the fertility scale for
Ireland. Unfortunately our western peat types have been insufficiently
studied from the aspect of pure ecology as well as from the aspects of
plantability and selection, and further research and experimental plantings
are indicated and may enable us to elaborate on the author's
more general classification. Further research is also indicated for our
limestone esker ridges and shallow soils over limestone pavement and
also for our Calluna-Molinia community which appears to be a
degradation of the Calluna heath type as described by him and which
is not extensively developed here.
One might have expected in a work of this nature some reference
to the modern technique of mechanical cultivation and manurial applica-

33
tions and how far they can be expected to alter permanently the
essential characteristics of the site. Nevertheless this work represents
the first comprehensive appro_ch in these islands to a very intricate
problem and is likely to reman for many years an invaluable aid in
selection. No forester should neglect its careful and detailed study.
T. McE.
Pakistan Journal of Forestry. Vol. 1. No. 1. 7/ 6.
The establishment and development of the Forest Service was one
of the great achievements of British Rule in India. When the final
break came that sub-continent had a sound forest policy enshrined in
legislation and implemented by a personnel of the highest standing.
Partition and the formation of the new state of Pakistan gave rise to
many problems not the least of which was the organisation of a forest
service under the most difficult circumstances. The far-famed Training
and Research Institute at Dehra Dun went to India and Pakistan was
left with no training centre, no place for research no decent library
and, perhaps the most severe hardship of all, a service sadly depleted
in senior staff and specialists. In view of this combination of adverse
conditions, we must congratulate Pakistan on the establishment so soon
of a technical journal and we. must also record our pleasure at the
progress in organisation recorded therein.
The first number runs to 94 pages and· contains ten original articles
besides abstracts, reviews and letters-a very creditable achievement.
The article of most general interest is contributed by the Editor,
S. A. A. Anvery and treats of Forest and Forestry Problems of
Pakistan. The two wings of Pakistan are 1,500 miles apart and there
is a corresponding divergence in climate, vegetation and forest
problems, conditions varying from the arid, practically rainless expanses
of Baluchistan to the extremely wet areas of East Pakistan with a
rainfall of over 200 inches. The nominal forest area of over 83 million
acres represents 5.33% of the land surface but many areas designated
as forest are in fact treeless. This small proportion of forest is largely
due to incidence of population. Due to the almost complete lack of
alternative fuels, firewood is of even greater importance than commercial
timber and fetches a price in excess of that of wheat in
pre-1942 years. Partition has left the country without a paper industry
and it is planned to start two big mills in either wing. To make for
closer utilisation of all the products of the forests it is proposed to
establish an integrated industry or 'combinate' to produce timber, paper,
matches, plywood, fibre board, gums, resins, oils, chemicals, etc.
Courses for the trainin

SEVENTH ANNUAL EXCURSION
Report by M. SWAN, B.AGR.SC.
THE Society's 7th Annual Excursion was held on the 23rd, 24th and
25th May, 1950, to the Wick;low district and we had the pleasure
of having as guests some of our Welsh hosts of the previous year.
Those who made the trip from Wales were Mr. F. C. Best, conservator
for North Wales, Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, Messrs. A. J. Davies, R.
W . Waters, L. E. Hughes and J. Morris. This was probably the most
successful excursion we have yet had, it certainly was the best attended,
over 80 members and their friends attending each day, and many
lively and interesting discussions arose. The party was based in Dublin
and travelled each day by bus and car.
First Day, 23rd May.
The excursion opened with a visit to Ballintombay property of
Rathdrum forest. On assembly at this property Mr. Meldrum, on
behalf of the Minister for Lands, welcomed the party, while Mr.
McEvoy, our President, extended a particular welcome to our Welsh
friends. The Convener, Mr. O. V. Mooney, then gave a brief history
of Forestry in Ireland.
Up to the beginning of the 18th century the history of Irish forests
is almost entirely one of exploitation. About that time, however, the
landlords began planting on their estates and their interest lasted for
almost a century-and-a-half. With the decline of the large land-owner
constructive forestry in general and planting in particular was
abandoned, until at the beginning of the present century the State
began to take an interest in forestry. Avondale was acquired as a
forest school in 1903 and the first plantations were laid down in
1905-6, but little serious progress was made until after the first
World War. From 1923 to 1932 progress was steady but slow
approximately 3,000 acres being planted each year. In 1932 a fresh
impetus was given to forestry and by 1939 almost 73,000 acres of
State owned plantations had been laid down. The second World War
then slowed down progress for a number of years but in 1950 with
the planting of 8,000 acres the total of State owned plantations reached
131,971 acres with a reserve of plantable land of just over 28,000
acres. At the present time a policy has been initiated to step lip
afforestation considerably and a 25 ,000 acre annual planting programme
has been fixed as the first target which it is hoped to reach in 1952.
An ultimate target of one million acres of plantation is being aimed
at, which would represent a forest area of about 6'10 instead of our
present figure of 1.5 % .
The Convener then dealt in detail with the Wicklow district.
Wicklow contains one of the biggest mountain massifs in Ireland and
elevations OVer 2,000 feet are commoo. The central core and ridge of

35
these mountains is granite while Lower Silurian rocks outcrop on either
flank and on the east extend without interruption to the sea except
for a small mass of Cambrian rock which occurs between Bray and
Wicklow. The influence of glaciation is apparent in its deepened
valleys and in its lakes. In the mountain mass the rainfall is about
60 inches per annum and the humidity is high, with mists and fogs
frequent. Towards the sea, however, the climate is comparatively dry
and the rainfall of 35 inches per annum is below average for the
country.
Much of the high-lying ground in this district is very suitable for
forestry, protection from the prevailing south-west wind- always a
foremost consideration in forestry in this country- being afforded by
the high-lying ridges of the massif. The total area of State owned
plantations in this district is 24,600 acres with a reserve of plantable
land of 5,600 acres. In addition an area of 210 acres is under nurseries
which provide the greater part of the plant supply for the entire
country.
The party, led by the Convener, then proceeded to inspect
Ballintombay property. The main interest was centred in the comparative
growth of Pinus contorta, Pinus laricio and Pinus sylvestris in
juxtaposition at approximately 1,100 feet elevation on an easterly but
generally exposed slope the predominant vegetation of which was
strong Calluna. The plantations were laid down in 1926 and the
Pinus contort a now stood at 20 to 25 feet and was still vigorous. The
Corsican pine had only grown from 5 to 15 feet and was showing
signs of deterioration, while the Scots pine had rarely bettered 4 feet
and seemed to have gone into complete check. As the party continued
its progress to 1,450 feet the Pinus contorta still continued vigorous
and without showing any effects of the increased exposure which had
then become severe. The almost complete failure of the Scots pine
and to a lesser degree of the Corsican on the same ground and often
in the lea of 15 ft. Pinus contorta stands was very striking. Mr.
Best speaking in the discussion said he had never seen S.P. do so
badly or P.e. do so well as here. P.e. was very little used in Wales
but S.P. had been grown successfully at elevations up to 1,600 feet.
Mr. Galvin suggested that the failure of the S.P. might have been due
to the race of seed used and stressed the necessity for research in
this direction.
Also seen during the morning's inspection was a stand of Cupressus
Macrocarpa 22 years old at an elevation of 800 feet on a slightly
exposeci south-east slope. The soil was a light shaley loam and at the
time of planting the site was a grass field in the early stages of reversion
to Calluna. This stand the Convener said was probably the best of
e.M. in the country in point of form and quality, while measurements
showed a mean annual increment of 112 cubic feet per acre. Mr. Forbes
remarked that L.M. will not clean itself and has to be pruned, but
that its timber was the most durable we could grow.

36
In the afternoon the party visited Avondale Forester School and
Forest. The Superintendent, Mr. T. O 'Carroll, speaking first in Irish
and Welsh and then in English welcomed the party to what may be
termed the cradle of Irish State forestry and gave a brief outline of its
history. From him we learned that Avondale House was built by
one Samuel Hayes, who was an ardent lover of trees and the author
of the first book published in Ireland on tree planting, a copy of which
is kept in the School library. On his death the house and estate passed
to Sir John Parnell, then Chancellor of the Irish Exchequer. Eventually
it passed to Charles Stewart Parnell, leader of the Irish Parliamentary
Party in Gladstone's Parliament. On his death the estate was sold to
a Mr. Boylan of Dublin who in turn sold it in 1903 to the Dept. of
Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland for forestry purposes.
It then became the State Forester School and most present day
foresters in Ireland have received their training here. Here also in
1905-6 were laid down the first State-owned plantations, mainly in
the form of one acre experimental plots of a wid:,: range of conifers
and hardwoods, pure and in mixture. Much that has been learned
at this centre has been applied in practice throughout the country.
Very full descriptions of the plantations at Avondale will be found
in Vol. III No. 2 and in Vol. VII Nos. 1 and 2 under the reports by
Messrs. Maher and Deasy of previous visits to this centre. Only one
or two of the outstanding plots therefore need mention here.
One of the most important factors influencing the early development
of the experimental plots was spring frosts. Records show that
much damage was caused in 1907, 1909, 1911 and 1914. The greatest
damage however was in 1911 when the frost occurred as late as 15th
June and it took the damaged plants several years to recover from its
effects. In the case of Abies pectinata many plants were killed outright
and the effect on the remainder was permanent resulting in the almost
complete failure of this species. The effects on the subsequent development
of D .F. and Ash were also very pronounced while other Silver
Firs, Spanish Chestnut, Oak and S.S. suffered to a less extent.
Another important factor was the irregularity of thinning and
attention generally. During and immediately after the First World
War it was not found possible to devote the necessary attention to the
plots and this neglect at a critical stage unfortunately upset the basic
object of many of the experiments by allowing nurse species to
dominate and suppress main crop species. Indeed when treatment did
become possible it was often too late and the nurses had to be accepted
as final crop trees. The history of the S.S.jJ.L. plot in this respect was
of particular interest and showed the wonderful recuperative powers of
S.S. The original mixture of this plot was S.S. I J.L. 50/ 50 planted at
four foot spacing. The spruce suffered severely from successive spring
frosts and from Aphis attacks so that the J.L. outgrew and proceeded
to suppress it. In 1927 it was concluded that the S.S. was past recovery
many of them being mere bushes. However some tentative thinning

37
and pruning of the J.L. was carried out and quite surprisingly the S.S.
responded at once and in two or three years the apparently doomed
S.S. were developing leading shoots of 2 to 3 feet. This spruce is now
82 feet high with an average Q.G.B.H. of 10 inches and a mean annual
increment of 109 cu. ft. U.B. per acre for the plot.
The most outstanding plot seen was of course that of Abies grandis.
This one acre plot was planted with Abies grandis/ Abies pectinata
25/75 mixture. The latter species originally intended as a nurse was
severely damaged by frost and eventually suppressed by the A.G.
Records to date show a total production of 16,268 cu. ft. U.B. from
this plot, which gives a mean annual increment of 361 cu. ft. U.B.
per acre. Mr. Best remarked that in Wales they find Abies Nobilis
superior to A.G. in the hills but that A.G. is the better in the lowlands.
Nowhere, he said, had he seen anything at all comparable with
the Avondale plot. Mr. Mooney pointed out that the yield, exceptional
as it was, would probably have been much greater if proper attention
could have been paid to thinning during the first 30 years or so. Mr.
Clear, in a discussion on the present treatment of the stand, suggested
further thinning as the trees were still vigorous and he hoped for
natural regeneration.
Second Day, 24th May.
On the morning of the second day the party assembled at
Glendalough for an inspection of part of that forest. Glendalough is
famous both for its natural grandeur and for its monastery founded by
St. Kevin in the 6th century. Despite plundering and pillaging by
Danes and Anglo-Normans this monastery continued until 1398 when
it was finally destroyed and deserted. It was a monastic settlement
complete with churches, stone bee-hive cells, round tower, workshops,
mill, dairy etc and was only at the beginning of its fame when St.
Kevin died in 618 A.D. Practically the only ruins now remaining are
those of the Churches which has caused Glendalough to be sometimes
called the Valley of the Seven Churches. In 1876 however the
foundations of an 8th Church were discovered and it is now generally
believed that there was also a ninth Church the site of which has yet
to be discovered.
The area chosen for inspection was Lugduff property which lies
on the south side of the lakes, the elevation being from 440 ft. at the
lake side to 2,179 ft. at Mullacor one-and-a-half miles to the south.
The underlying rocks throughout are of Upper Silurian origin micaschist
being the usual derivative. Below the 1,100 ft. contour light shaley
loams are met with and are very suitable for tree-growth. Above this
contour however the rainfall averages over 60 ins., atmospheric conditions
are very humid and peat is general. The influence of glacial
action is very striking at Glendalough, the valley bottom was gouged
out and both lakes owe their origin to the ice, the moraine being very
evident across the valley near the round tower.

38
The party began the ascent of Lugduff property on the new road
constructed during the war years to give access to the upper areas
for the extraction of thinnings, etc. Mr. Maher pointed out some of the
difficulties met with in the construction of this road, the very steep
gradients, the difficult bends and the embankments and bridges
necessary, and how by careful planning they had been surmounted.
He referred in detail to the question of capillary water and how best
to deal with it.
A stop was made in a D .F. plantation 28 years old and situated
on a sheltered S/ E slope at 800 ft. elevation. The soil was a deep
fertile shaley loam .with a high degree of moisture and was, before
planting, a grass field near the houses of a mountain farm and in
good heart. The crop now had an average height of 46 ft. and
a Q.G.B.H . of 5! ins. while the yield was just 2,000 cu. ft. U.B. per
acre. The general comment of the party expressed by Mr. Harrison
was that the stand had been left too long before thinning. Mr. Best
suggested fairly heavy and frequent thinning for D .F. as the canopy
closes quickly and stressed the necessity for starting early. Mr. Clear
said that from stem analysis he had noticed that suppression in D .F.
began at about 13 years for 6 ft. X 6 ft. planting and consequently
early thinning was essential. He suggested a thinning cycle of 3 years.
He also referred to the very fine natural regeneration of D.F. at Lough
Gill forest seen during our excursion to the Sligo district.
The party then passed through a stand of E.L. / J.L. planted in 1922
and showing very clearly the lack of success that is experienced with
E.L. at high elevations in this region. The ground was of very good
quality with grass and bramble predominant in the vegetation and
while the J.L. had done well the E.L., 28 years old was very poor indeed.
In contrast to what we had seen on the first day at Ballintombay
we found here at Lugduff a promising stand of S.P. at 1,100 ft.
elevation. This crop was on a steep southern slope and in an exposed
situation, soil and drainage conditions however were excellent.
From a natural grandstand, overlooking the lakes we had a wonderful
view of this historic beauty spot and Mr. McEvoy described the
vegetation of the district in general and gave an account of the old
system of farming, "boleying", practised in these regions by which
the farmer drove his flocks to the high hills and set up house there
during the summer returning to the lowland enclosures for the winter.
On returning to the natural oak-wood on the lake shore Mr.
McEvoy gave a short lecture on Our Natural Sessile Oak-woods, after
which the party adjourned for a picnic lunch on the lake-shore.
After lunch the party travelled to Glenmalure forest which with an
area of 6,478 acres has the distinction of being the largest forest centre
in the country. It also has the distinction of having our highest-lying
plantation as in it we find a stand of fairly good S.S. at approximately
1,750 ft. elevation. Road construction is at present the biggest operation
at this centre and thinning (which is the most important work)

39
has been dependent to a great extent on its progress. As the labour
supply is not sufficient to cope with both operations together the
question of whether in the interests of economics thinning and road
construction should proceed together or in the interests of sylviculture
thinning should take precedence was debated with the honours about
even.
Glenmalure is a narrow steep-sided valley of glacial origin. Elevation
ranges from 400 ft. to over 3,000 ft. On the south and west the
rock formation is mainly granite while mica-schists with quartzite
intrusions occupy most of the north and east.
The party first inspected the new road being constructed at Ballyboy
property and Mr. Maher pointed out how the lesson learned at
Glendalough had been applied here. Of particular interest was a
recently constructed river ford. The stones, Mr. -Maher told us, should
for the best and most lasting results be placed vertically and not
horizontally as might at first be expected. He stressed the necessity
for beginning construction in the centre of the stream and working
towards either side to ensure that every stone is locked in position.
The species mainly used in Glenmalure were S.S. D.F. and larches
with S.P. and P.e. The S.S. has been greatly retarded by continued
severe frosting during its early life but it has now come through and
a first quality crop has in many cases been established. A short stop
was made in an S.S. stand in Compartment 35 which carried over
4,000 cu. ft. U.B. per acre at 26 years of age.
Next came a stand of D.F./ J.L. originally planted in SO/ SO
mixture at 6 ft. X 6 ft. Unfortunately the J.L. had been allowed to
dominate and suppress the D.F. and will now have to be accepted as
the main crop species. Mr. Clear doubted the advisability of a
D.F.jJ.L. mixture. He considered it a particularly doubtful mixture
in areas like Glenmalure where the necessary labour was not available
for cleaning and thinning at the critical time and unlike S.S. D.F.
will not recover from suppression. That D .F. when planted pure was
capable of quite good yields in this area however was seen during the
afternoon ramble.
Continuing the ascent the party again noticed the failure of S.P.
on the 1,000 ft. contour. The area was originally planted with E.L./S.P.
SO/ SO mixture in 1923 but was cleared in 1949 only a few of the
best S.P. being retained and the area replanted with S.S. The situation
is exposed with south-west aspect but soil conditions are good and
moist. The S.S. is now doing quite well and the main problem now is
deer and weevil damage.
Before beginning the descent to the cars the party scrambled out
on to the noted Michael Dwyer Rock overlooking the historic glen
and Mr. Maher gave us an account of Glenmalure, its history, and its
association with the O'Byrnes and the O'Tooles, and in more recent
times of its part in the Rising of 1798 and of Michael Dwyer.

40
In the descent the party passed through some stands of D.F.
planted pure at 6 ft. X 6 ft. in 1926. They were on a steep south-east
slope in an exposed situation but with a deep well-drained soil and
were quite promising. The average volume per acre under bark was
1,350 cu. ft. while the average tree had a total height of 37 ft. with
a timber height of 24 ft. and a mid quarter girth of 3-! inches.
Before dispersal the party inspected a timber-chute for extraction
of material from the difficult and inaccessible upper slopes of the glen.
On Wednesday night the Society entertained our Welsh guests and
all those associated with the excursion to dinner in the Dept. of Lands
Luncheon Club, Upper Merrion Street. The Minister for Lands was
unfortunately unable to attend but was represented by Mr. Nally,
Secretary of the Dept.
Third Day, Tuesday, 25th May.
The third and last day of the excursion was spent at Aughrim
Forest. This forest comprises some 2,835 acres and the early plantings
date from 1922. It is made up of a number of scattered properties
around Aughrim village together with some larger and more compact
mountain areas which stretch for some seven miles along the eastern
side of the Ow River valley. Ballinglen Forest, some 2,900 acres in
extent, lies on the western side of the Ow valley and was once part of
Aughrim Forest.
As at Glenmalure and Glendalough glacial action has greatly
influenced the topography of the Ow valley. Silurian rock again is
met with mostly but outcrops of granite and Cambrian rock are not
infrequent. A wide variety of site-qualities is met with in this forest
ranging from rich sheltered old woodland sites at 150 ft. elevation to
difficult calluna-molinia peat types at 1,500 ft.
An annual planting programme of over 100 acres has been maintained
at this centre over recent years but at present the most important
operation is thinning. Road construction has as far as possible kept
pace with thinning and a small portable mill has been operated for
the conversion of the thinnings into boxwood, pitwood, fencing
materials, etc.
A nursery of some 19 acres is maintained at this forest and was
among the first areas visited for the day. Mr. Ryan said that this nursery
has been in continuous use for the past 30 years and that it had now
been decided to rest it. Consequently it now had only a small area
under seed beds, the remainder being under green crop. The soil was
light and friable and easily worked and produced good S.S. transplants.
Until recently, he said, most of our nursery areas had been concentrated
in Wicklow but now we were going further afield and nursery ground
was being acquired in all areas where there existed large tracts of
potential forest lands, as shown by the recently completed Survey of
Plantable Land. He also pointed out that as a direct result of our visit

4l
to Wales the previous year a heath-land nursery was now being
established_
The first plantation visited was a mixed D.F-/J.L. 50/ 50 mixture
planted in 1923. The site was an old oak woodland with a deep welldrained
soil of Silurian origin and the area was sheltered. Unfortunately
the first thinning was not until 1945 with the result that the J.L. had
suppressed the D.F. and was now the main crop. Mr. Harrison agreed
with the thinning as it had been carried out, while Mr. Morehead
suggested that a much heavier thinning over a small area might be
carried out as an experiment.
Among other plots seen was one of Abies Grandis/ J.L. planted in
1923 at 6 ft. X 6 ft. This was also on an old oak woodland area with
a deep well-drained soil of Silurian origin. The elevation was about
400 ft. and the aspect southern but the area was not exposed. TI-:e
stand was not thinned until 1947 and at the time of our visit was
marked for a further thinning. The Abies Grandis was deliberately
favoured in thinning and now completely predominates and is very
vigorous with a current shoot-growth of over two feet. The average
tree had a total height of 65 feet with a timber height to 3 inches of
47 ft. while the Q.G. at B.H. was 7 inches. The stems were well
formed with little taper and the Q.G. at half timber height was 6
inches. The larch on the other hand had a timber height of only 34
ft. and a B.H.Q.G. of 5! inches. The A.G. had a volume of 4,440
cu. ft. per acre while the J.L. had only 200 cu. ft. per acre giving a
total of 4,640 cu. ft. per acre for the plot.
The party then visited a series of D.F. plots at Roddenagh and
Killaduff. A comprehensive survey and assessment of these areas had
been carried out by Mr. Clear and detailed figures were available to
the party for the stands visited. An account of this survey in relation
to D.F. and the lessons to be learned from it has been contributed by
the assessor, Mr. Clear, and appears in this issue.
At the conclusion of the excursion Mr. McEvoy thanked the
Minister for Lands and his staff for the facilities accorded the Society
and for the careful and painstaking arrangements they had made.
Sawmills
HAUGHTON'S
LIMITED
SOUTH TERRACE
CORK
Pitwood Exporters
HIGHEST PRICES PAID FOR STANDING SOFTWOODS

Excursion to Killakee Forest
Report by D. M. O·SULLIVAN.
AN excursion to Killakee Forest was held on the afternoon of July
8th, 1950. This Forest is on the Dublin foothills about 3 miles
from Rathfarnham and the soil is of granite origin. The weather
conditions were ideal and a large party attended.
At the outset Mr. Swan (Convener) welcomed the party on behalf
of the Minister for Lands. He then gave details of the progress of
the forest to date. The party was then conducted to what might be
termed the Pinetum of the forest. Here in picturesque surroundings
were to be found tree species from four continents and an interesting
discourse on the characteristics of each of the species in view was
given by the Convenor.
The party then proceeded to a pure ash plantation on an area
which was surrounded by a mature hardwood belt. The planting was
carried out in 1938 and the spacing was 4' X 4'. The vegetation on
half of the area was meadow grasses, while nettles predominated on
the other half. The trees on the latter area got away rapidly while
those on the ground carrying the mat of grass were very slow in the
early stages and at present (1950) there would be the equivalent of
4 years difference as regards rate of growth. In 1944 half of the
hardwood belt on the side nearest the ash was removed as the ash
was inclined to lean away from the belt due to excess shade. The
area where nettles predominated at time of planting got a weeding
in the summer of 1946. In this operation the rough and badly-shaped
stems, mostly wolves were removed . Subsequent thinnings were carried
out in 1947 and 1948 when the number of stems was reduced to
eight hundred per acre. At this stage Tsuga Heterophylla and Thuya
Plicata were introduced as an under storey. The average height of this
area is 23 ft. and the average Q.G.B.H. is 3i ins. The area carrying
grasses at time of planting had not got any treatment other than
pruning of double leaders as it had not yet reached the weeding stage.
The party agreed that this was a fine stand of ash both as regards rate
of growth and immunity from disease. Mr. Clear was of the opinion
that it may have been the leaf-fall from the surrounding belt that was
responsible for so marked a difference in the rate of growth and that
the removal of the hardwood belt would be detrimental rather than
beneficial to the plantation. He did not favour the introduction of
the shade bearers which he feared would create undue root competition
which would retard the growth of the ash. He was of the opinion
that the thinning might have been more severe.
The next area visited was planted with oak, beech and horse
chestnut in equal proportions. Very little of the horse chestnut remains
possibly due to damage by hares which despite constant snaring are
still numerous on the area. During the eight weeks blizzard of 1947
the area became infested with hares and the damage caused to the

43
horse chestnut was notable In companson to that caused to the beech
and the oak. The bark of the horse chestnut was completely stripped
for nearly 4 feet above snow level, while the damage to the beech
was slight and to the oak, negligible.
Japanese Larch except for one small area was included as a nurse
through the hardwoods at 20' X 20'. The ground vegetation at time
of planting varied from cocksfoot, meadow foxtail and meadow grasses
on the better and more fertile ground to crested dogstail, sweet vernal
grass, creeping cinquefoil, germander speedwell and birdsfoot trefoil
on the drier and less fertile ground. As regards rate of growth the
oak has done better on the better type ground while there is no
appreciable difference in the case of the beech. On the ground where
no Japanese Larch nurses were included the hardwoods are inclined to
spread and be more bushy than elsewhere. The chief disadvantage of
Japanese Larch as a nurse was its rapid rate of growth and spreading
habit which caused damage to the hardwoods and required pruning
at an early stage. At ten years the height of the oak on the area
averaged more than 4' which is the average for similar plantations
grown by the British Forestry Commission. The removal of the
Japanese Larch was being carried out.
An interesting discussion took place concerning the past and future
treatment of the plantation. Mr. Clear was of the opinion that ploughing
of the ground at time of planting would have been more satisfactory
than the system adopted. This method would have obviated
grass clearing which was ·expensive. The absence of grass caused by
ploughing would have given the plants a chance to get away in the
early stages. Mr. Hayes suggested topping back the Japanese Larch
to half height. This would have the effect of keeping the ground
clean as well as continuing to encourage cleaner and straighter hardwood
stems. Mr. Ryan was of the opinion that the removal of the
nurse trees should have commenced earlier.
The next stop was at an area planted pure with Spanish Chestnut
at a spacing of 4' X 4'. Though the area was small the ground varied
considerably and there is a notable difference in the crop both as
regards rate of growth and number of good stems. There was a
gradual slope and the site quality varied from a moist loamy soil
carrying cocks foot, meadow foxtail and timothy to a lighter and less
fertile soil carrying sweet vernal grass, germander speedwell, crested
dogstail, birdsfoot trefoil, knapweed, etc., on the higher ground. On
the better type of ground there is a smaller proportion of bushy topped
stems and the average height is 14'. There is a gradual falling off
in height growth to the top of the slope where the height is only
about 4' and where there are few clean straight stems. A number of
bushy topped trees were cut back in the spring of 1944 but
unfortunately most of the resulting shoots were killed by the severe
May frost of that year. A few escaped however and the advantage of
cutting back was very evident.

44
On the last plot visited ash in the diamond-shaped beds of 13
plants, 2' apart and 25' between the groups were planted in a matrix
of Lawson Cypress pure at 4' X 4' the intention being to get one
straight stem from each group of ash. The ash remained at a standstill
in the early stages and looked as if it were going to be a failure. When
the Lawson Cypress killed out the ground cover of grass the ash made
rapid growth and now exceeds the Lawson Cypress in current height
growth. The height of the ash at present is about 20'. In each group
most of the ash llave been removed and a few good stems left from
which the one finally selected will be chosen. The Lawson Cypress
crop carries a number of rough and forked trees. Both Mr. Ryan and
Mr. McEvoy were of the opinion that the race of the seed was
responsible. Mr. Clear while admitting that the stand did not look
as one would expect, considered that with careful sylvicultural treatment
it should develop into a successful crop.
Excursion to Dundrum Sawmill and
Forest
Report by F. G. MORIARTY.
THE Society concluded its year's outings with a very successful
excursion to Dundrum Forest and Sawmills on 22nd October, 1950,
the attendance exceeding 100. Mr. Haas, District Officer, welcomed the
guests on behalf of the Minister for Lands and gave a resume of the
improvements carried out at the Sawmills which were now completely
modernized.
Mr. Meldrum explained that, heretofore, the absence of suitable
machinery prevented us from utilizing our timber produce to ',he
best advantage, but that now, the new electrically-driven machines and
the drying kilns recently installed, would enable Irish timber to
compete favourably with the best imported stock.
Mr. Meldrum then conducted the party through the mill where they
saw these new machines in operation. A large log of Oak was broken
down on the electrically-driven Band Mill and then re-sawn into crossarm
sizes and bored to E.S.B. specification. The members next
inspected the two Drying Kilns. One of these was then charged with
a bogey load of Scots Pine planks and the members were shown how
the process of drying was initiated. Subsequent to this the machining
of kiln-dried stock into tongued and grooved flooring boards on
the "five cutter" was demonstrated. The finished product was greatly

45
admired and all were convinced that Mr. Meldrum's statement, made
at the outset "that Irish timber when subjected to proper treatment
was second to none" was well and truly substantiated.
At the request of some of the members a short run was made
through the Forest. We visited Gurtussa Property, a block some
ninety acres in extent, comprising in the main Sitka-Spruce with some
Scots Pine and European Larch and planted during the years 1911 to
1914. The members could observe here what judicious thinning and
proper sylvicultural methods can achieve. Some truly magnificent Sitka
Spruce stems were seen in the older 1911 plantations. Of an average
breast height quarter girth O.B. of 13" and standing 68 feet in height
they gave promise of a high timber yield on maturity.
Mr. Haas outlined the history of the block and traced its life
through the initial weeding and pruning operations and the various
thinning stages, down the years, to the present date. Mr. Mooney
started an interesting discussion with Mr. Clear on the Sylvicultural
characteristics of the stand.
We next traversed various Spruce woods more recently planted
and saw how the work now being carried out was gradually bringing
them into line with the one previously visited. An E. Larch stand in
C. 30 aroused much interest. It was planted in 1919 and was bounded
on the north north-west and south by Spruce blocks of the same age,
and it was observed that considerable natural regeneration of Sitka
Spruce had come in under the Larch. Wherever the Larch canopy was
thin the young Spruce were doing very well. Mr. Grant, the forester,
explained that a heavy thinning of Larch was intended and that then,
by scarifying the ground, it was hoped to reseed the area with Sitka
Spruce.
FORESTRY COMMISSION PUBLICATIONS
ANNUAL REPORT, 1949 4s. Od. (4s. 3d.)
REPORT ON FOREST RESEARCH, 1949 ls.9d. (Is. lId.)
FOREST RECORDS. No.5 : Volume
Table for 'Oak - 4d. (5d.)
No.8: Volume Tables for Scots Pine 9d. (lOd.)
Obtainable from H, M, Stationery Office, York House, Kingsway,
London, W.C.2.; and 80 Chichester St., Belfast; or through any
bookseller
Prices in brackets include postage.
A complete list of publications is available from The Secretary,
Forestry Commission, 25 Savile Row, London, W .1.
• "'¥. ¥

NINTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
(Report by MISS R. McDONAGH and M. SWAN).
THE Ninth Annual General Meeting of the Society was held in
jury's Hotel at 7.30 p.m. on Friday, 16th March, 1950. The
President, Mr. T. McEvoy was in the chair and the large attendance
filled the spacious room to capacity.
On the suggestion of the President the minutes of the previous
Annual General Meeting, which had already appeared in the Journal
were taken as read and were signed.
The President then called on the Secretary to read the report of
the Council for 1950.
COUNCIL REPORT FOR 1950.
The first meeting of the Council was held on the 4th February,
1950. The new Council appointed sub-committees to deal with arrangements
for excursions, the publication of the Journal, to look after
finance and tree registration. Eleven members attended this meeting.
The second meeting of the Council was held on the 3rd May. Nine
members were present. Final arrangements for the Annual Excursion
were completed and a dinner in honour of the Welsh visitors was
arranged.
A further meeting of the Council was held on May 24th. Six
members attended. The main business was concerned with the arrangement
of a programme of day excursions for the summer and autumn.
Further meetings were held on 6th September and on the 29th
November. Eight members attended each of these meetings.
MEMBERSHIP.
During the year 18 Associate, 4 Grade I, and 27 Grade II members
were enrolled. An analysis of the roll book shows that, with new
enrolments and losses due to deaths, resignations and lapsed membership,
there are now 118 Associate, 46 Grade I and 81 Grade II
members.
The growth of the Society, while not as rapid as the Committee
would wish to have it, is satisfactory. With the growing interest in
forestry in the country a good enrolment this year is anticipated and
members are urged to do their utmost to encourage new members to
join. It is felt that the best way of selling the forestry idea to the
country is to bring the people into direct contact with the forest through
the medium of excursions, attendance at excursions is the surest sign
of interest in the Society's activities.
FINANCE.
The abstract of accounts for the year 1950 could not be included
with the notice of the Annual General Meeting. Owing to the Bank
Strike, the Treasurer was unable to bring the accounts to audit in time.
The statement is now to hand and has been circulated at this meeting.

47
While the statement shows the balance to our credit to be in a
very healthy state, it is apparent from a close analysis of the account
that current expenditure barely covers current income. We had the
cost of only one issue of the Journal to meet last year. We are again
indebted to Mrs. A. H. Henry for a further donation of £25 to forward
the work of the Society.
JOURNAL.
One issue of the Journal appeared during the period under review.
Members and others have commented on the continued high standard
of the Journal and the Council is satisfied that in spite of rising costs
of printing and paper the Journal should continue to be published and
that at least 2 issues should appear each year. The revenue from
advertising and sales . is well maintained amounting this year to £30
for the one issue. As a result of the work of our Business Editor many
County Libraries are now stocking our Journal and this should have
the effect of bringing our Society to the notice of a much wider public
as well as improving our receipts.
EXCURSION.
The excursions held during the year were very well attended. The
Annual 3-Day Excursion was favoured with very good weather and
there was a big turnout each day. Our Welsh guests were very pleased
with their visit and indeed, their presence added enormously to the
pleasure and benefit of the whole outing. The Convener, Mr. 0. V.
Mooney, and the officers of the Forestry Division are deserving of the
highest praise for the organisation and facilities put at our disposal on
this and other occasions.
The day excursions were all favoured with good weather in a year
when fine days were few and far between. The areas visited were
Killakee, Curracloe, Gort and Dundrum.
AUGUSTINE HENRY MEMORIAL.
On the occasion of the 8th Annual General Meeting the Council
reported that with the approval of the Minister for Lands and the
consent of Mrs. A. H . Henry, a Memorial Grove was to be planted at
Avondale. The Council is pleased to report that the ground has been
fenced and planted and that a memorial plaque is almost ready for
erection. It is hoped to have the formal opening of the Memorial
Grove in the early summer.
The adoption of the Council's report and the Abstract of Accounts
was proposed by Mr. Chisholm who congratulated the Society on
its strong financial position and on its great activity and interest during
the year. Mr. Ross seconded and the meeting unanimously agreed to
the motion.

48
THE President thanked the members for doing him the honour of
re-electing him for a second term of office and then proceeded to
review the past year's developments in the world of forestry as
follows :-
PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.
"Looked at in a broad general way the present international forestry
situation is still to a large extent a direct result of World War II.
Apart from a few European countries like Germany, Switzerland
and France where forest management has for centuries been the norm,
the necessity for national forest policies came to be generally accepted
only after World War 1. Substantially the forest policies of such
countries as U.S.A., Canada, Britain, Ireland, Australia and New
Zealand date from that period. World War II, with its mass destruction
of the essentials of civilized existence and the enormous post war
demand for timber for reconstruction, has re-emphasised the need for
scientific management of existing forests and an extension of forest
areas. Most countries have therefore been having a 'check-up' and have
been formulating plans for large-scale afforestation. In so doing the
experience gained in the inter-war period has been of immense value
and it can fairly be said that the new plans are usually based on a
more realistic appreciation of the problems involved.
The first effects of these revisions of policies are now becoming
evident but it is already clear that the unsettled world situation has
taken its toll in so far as accomplishment falls short of target.
In Britain for example according to the latest published figures,
land acquisition progress has reached only 21% of the target figure.
The planting reserve of 335,000 acres, itself considered inadequate,
has been eaten into. Planting reached 76% of the target.
In the older forest countries of Europe the problem is not so much
one of afforestation as of making up for the war-time overcutting by
reducing annual fellings to a figure equivalent to nett annual growth.
It is with regret that we must record that this is not being accomplished.
Even in Switzerland felling still exceeds normal growth by 22% .
The War has had one beneficial effect in stimulating the application
of mechanical methods to the diverse operations of the forest. Naturally
the most spectacular results have been in logging and utilization but
important advances have also been made in the nursery and in the
use of crawler tractors in preparing ground for planting.
You will recollect the damage done by forest fires in the Landes
District of France last summer. The marketing of some 5 million cubic
metres of fire-damaged timber has created havoc in the markets there.
Some idea of the immensity of the problem may be gained if we
remember that this quantity of timber would supply our total requirements
for about six years.
Turning to the utilization side, we find that recent trends have
continued. The use of solid timber continues to be restricted both

49
in constructional work and in furniture manufacture. On the other
hand the consumption of fibre board, pulp, block board, plywood,
veneers etc. is expanding rapidly. In my opinion this development
should be welcomed by foresters as it increases the adaptability, versatility
and competitive powers of wood in relation to other raw materials
and in addition makes for economy and efficiency. In this connection
it is of interest to note that the British Vampire jet fighter is constructed
entirely of wood-Sitka Spruce and balsa woods.
Timber prices, which tended to fall early in 1950, began to rise
in the Autumn with the outbreak of war in Korea and the trend is
still sharply upward. Paper pulp in particular is rising steeply and is
likely to continue for long in short supply.
We must now ask ourselves what developments of significance
there were in Irish forestry during the year.
The beginning of the year saw the field work of the Survey of
Plant able Land completed. The results showed that there are still
some 1,200,000 acres of marginal and sub-marginal agricultural land
and cleared woodland capable of growing timber crops. Adding to
this figure an estimated 60,000 acres of stocked woodland in private
ownership and some 170,000 acres of productive State forest lands
we see that the total potential forest area is close on a million-and-ahalf
acres. This survey has already proved of inestimable value in
providing the solid basis of fact on which the F.A.O. mission could
build policy proposals and it has enabled the Forestry Division to put
the planning and control of land acquisition on a sounder basis.
This brings us to the F.A.O. mission. Ireland was fortunate in
securing the services of so distinguished a forester as D. Roy Cameron,
Chief of the F.A.O. Forestry Group in Europe and past Director of
the Dominion Forest Service of Canada. His report which has just
beeen made public is the first formal review of our forest policy since
1908. It adopts the million acre target set by the Government in 1949.
The programme is divided into two parts, commercial and social.
The commercial policy of establishing half-a-million acres at an annual
planting rate of 11,750 acres is designed to provide our minimum
emergency requirements of 100,000 standards, equivalent to half the
estimated maximum future consumption. This part of the programme
would be concentrated in aggregations of not less than 3,000 acres on
the more fertile forest soils.
The other half-million acres of what Mr. Cameron terms 'social
forestry' would be on the poorer soils which occur mainly in the west.
This part of the programme is justified on the grounds of the indirect
benefits to be derived in timber production, establishment of new
industries, reclamation of idle lands, soil conservation, and relief of
congestion. To implement this policy involving a capital investment
of the order of £100 million the creation of a new and separate Department
of Forests is advocatec!,

50
In actual forest operations the Forestry Division continued to
progress with its enlarged programme. Planting was almost double the
wartime figure and equalled the highest pre-war level while land
acquisition showed a distinct upward trend. The nursery area is in
process of being trebled from 300 to 900 acres. A particularly satisfactory
feature is the steady growth of income from sales of forest
produce which now exceed £100,000.
On the industrial side an event of major significance was the
establishment here of the Bowater Corporation of Newfoundland, the
largest pulp manufacturers in the world. The creation of a profitable
market for small thinnings will have a profound influence on the
economics of Irish forestry. The setting up of a modern saw mill
and kiln-drying plant at Dundrum is another happy augury for the
future of native timber.
No review of the past year would be complete without a reference
to the passing of the father of Irish forestry, A. C. Forbes. For 26
crucial years he was responsible for the initiation and development of
State afforestation and his death marks the end of an era.
EXCURSION.
The President announced that arrangements were now well
advanced for the forthcoming annual excursion which this year would
be to Scotland. He said that Mr. Clear had very generously donated
£15 to cover the expenses of one forester on the excursion. The Society
was also providing an equal sum to defray the expenses of a second
forester. A sub-committee had been appointed to see that the two
lucky foresters would be chosen "by all the laws of chance."
ELECTION OF MR. M. O'BEIRNE
TO HONORARY MEMBERSHIP.
Mr. Meldrum in proposing the election of Mr. O'Beirne to honorary
membership of the Society said that this was indeed a most pleasant
task to him. Mr. O'Beirne was one of our founder members and had
served on the Council in many capacities including that of President
and the Society owed a great deal of its present well being to his
efforts on its behalf. In electing him to honorary membership the
Society would be paying a well-deserved tribute to a great Irish forester.
Mr. Ryan in seconding the proposal said his memory of Mr.
O'Beirne would always be associated with forestry in Co. Wicklow
and in particular with the plantings of Contorta pine on Ballintownbay
mountain. This was the first introduction of the species to Ireland and
could be directly attributed to Mr. O'Beirne's energy and initiative.
He was very glad Mr. O'Beirne had consented to accept honorary
membership and his advice and experience would be invaluable to
the Society.
The proposal was unanimously carried with acclamation and the
President declared Mr. O'Beirne an honorary member of the Society.

SOCIETY OF IRISH FORESTERS.
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 1950.
Income.
Expenditure.
£ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d.
To Balance from last account. By Stationery and Printing 14 10 0
In Bank on Current Account 254 7 7 " Printing of Journal 76 10 0
Less Amount due to Secretary 8 0 6 " Postages 9 16 1
246 7 1 " Expenses re Meetings 9 6 0
." Subscriptions received. " Bank Charges 1 1 0
4 1st Grade Tech. 1949 4 0 0 " Excursion and Dinner Expenses 83 18 4
36
1950 36 0 0 " Secretary's Honorarium 15 0 0
"
3
1951 3 0 0 Balance
1 2nd
"
1948 10 0 In Bank on Current Account 318 10 0
6 1949 3 0 0 less Amount due to Sec. 23 3 0
53
1950 26 10 0
1 Associate
" "
1948 15 0
295 7 8
6 1949 4 10 0
79 1950 59 5 0
5 1951 / 52 & '53 4 10 0
142 0 0
" Journals sold 30 7 0
" Excursion. Bus fares, dinner, etc. 61 15 0
" Donation received from Mrs. A. Henry 25 0 0
V>
£505 9 1 £505 9 1
I have examined the above Account, have compared same with vouchers and certify it to be correct, the balance
to credit being £295 7s. 8d. which is on Current Account at the Ulster Bank Ltd. Credit has not been taken for
Subscriptions for 1948 £1 Os. Od.; for 1949 £13 ISs. Od.; for 1950 £40 ISs. od. which were outstanding at 31st
December, 1950.
D. M. CRAIG,
Hon. Auditor,
10th March, 1951.
85, Harcourt Street, Dublin.

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